Two FBC Biscay 36s to star in Suhaili Parade of Sail

In what is sure to be an historic sight, a special ‘Suhaili Falmouth 50 Parade of Sail’ will take place on Thursday June 14 2018. The date celebrates the day world-renowned sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston set out from Falmouth to win the original Golden Globe Race and in doing so, become the first person to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world 50 years ago.

Falmouth Boat Co. has refitted two Biscay 36s to enable them to compete in the Golden Globe Race 2018 - Goldstar, to be raced by Frenchman Antoine Cousot, and E'le May, on which Palestinian American Nabil Amra will compete.

The Parade of Sail will feature Sir Robin sailing his famous yacht Suhaili, leading Bernhard Moitessier’s famous French yacht Joshua, Sir Francis Chichester’s Gipsy Moth IV and Sir Alec Rose’s Lively Lady around Falmouth harbour saluted by those competing in the 2018 Golden Globe Race skippers and many other vessels on the day.

The parade will see the 30 competitor boats accompanying the historic fleet plus a vibrant flotilla of watercraft depart Custom House Quay before taking in Pendennis Point and Castle and St Mawes.

There will be a fireworks display over the bay on Wednesday June 13 after which the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club will host a pre-parade dinner in honour of Sir Robin and the participating sailors. Visitors are welcome to see the historic boats up close as Suhaili, Joshua, Gipsy Moth IV and Lively Lady will be moored on Falmouth Haven Marina.

Following the parade of sail, the historic boats, along with around 30 other traditional long-keeled yachts and their skippers, will then participate in the SitRaN charity challenge race to Les Sables d’Olonne, France as a warm-up to the 50th anniversary Golden Globe Race commence from there on Sunday July 1st 2018.